Me My Life

Trying for a World Record

(And Why You Should Have a Life List)

Orbit Skate Center in Palatine is trying to break the world record for the longest line of roller skaters. I found out about it from my Derby Lite ladies, and since breaking a world record is on my Lovely Life List, I figure I ought to go be a part of this one. If you’re in the Chicago area, you should come out too! There’s open skate beforehand, but you have to register in advance to be a part of the record.

I know a lot of you have life lists already but if you don’t yet, I want to convince you to make one. It’s not about coming up with an arbitrary list of “things to do before you die” and crossing them off; it’s about figuring out what would make you happy and then opening yourself up to those experiences. I probably would have heard about this world record attempt and thought, ‘oh, that’s nice, I hope they make it.’ Having it on my list made me consider it more carefully, and it proved to be the difference between wishing them well versus being a part of it. Now I hope we make it.

The weekend after the world record attempt, I’ll be in the Color Run. Running in a 5k is also on my list and that seemed like the most fun way to do it, so I somewhat impulsively signed up even though I’m new to running. Sometimes accomplishing items on my list happens naturally or even accidentally, sometimes I have to really work at them, and sometimes I have to take a leap and do something that I’m a little afraid of. Either way, I’m always a little happier after. Life Lists are awesome like that.

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  • Holly
    October 1, 2012 at 7:39 am

    You’ve helped me make my decision. I’ll be drafting up my life list. There is too much that I think about doing as a mother, wife, creative-mind, daughter, etc that I just need to write it all down and start checking things off. Thanks for the motivation and I’ll give you a shout out when the post goes up. A 5K is definitely on my list – something that I know I can do and would like to try just haven’t given myself the push to do it. Thanks again.

  • Jessica
    October 1, 2012 at 8:22 am

    I love this post — very inspiring. I’ll be revisiting my list. <3

  • Becca :: Making Room in Sicily
    October 1, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I totally agree about having a life list. I love this list: http://makingroomwithus.blogspot.com/2012/01/100-things-to-do-in-your-20s.html. So many good things to remember as you build a list… and of course these things don’t just have to be done in your 20s!

  • Jasi
    October 1, 2012 at 8:57 am

    Very cool. Good luck to you and your lady skates. Have a fantastic time.

  • brooke
    October 1, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    I did my first 5k last month (Color Me Rad) and it was great. I also did better than I thought I would.

  • Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com
    October 1, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Orbit Skate is definitely a throw back to my childhood. I was just there for a birthday party and it was so much fun! My friends that weren’t from Illinois were basically like, “Is skating really that big of a deal in Illinois?” I guess other kids didn’t skate much when they were little! I was basically at the roller rink every weekend as a kid!

    • Making it Lovely
      October 1, 2012 at 1:16 pm

      I went skating every weekend when I was young too! The rink I went to though (on North Ave. in Melrose Park) is long gone.

  • Miss B.
    October 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    I LOVE that you can participate in this and hoping you break the record, or win the record, hmm? Accomplish what you all set out to do! I haven’t written out a life list yet, but I do a yearly list on my birthday each year.

    Good luck!

  • Ryan
    October 1, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    This is so fun! I remember taking school trips to Orbit when I was younger. We just recently took our daughter for the first time and I couldn’t believe how it really hasn’t changed at all!

  • AnnW
    October 2, 2012 at 12:26 am

    Thanks for the kick in the pants. I was going to do 65 before 65, but my parents got sick. So now I might make a Mighty List. I would love to see a picture of you in your Roller Derby outfit. And thanks for the color run info. I signed up to by notified and I just might be in the one in Denver in May 2013. I got really close to hugging a panda, but the Chinese started shooting people in the streets of Tibet and all foreigners were kept away from Western China. I am thinking of kayaking in Antartica. Quark Expeditions has a few trips where you can camp out for one night. Thanks Ann

  • Jenny
    October 2, 2012 at 8:29 am

    After your first post about a life’s to do list, I started to make my own. It is amazing once you have a list how easy it is to start crossing them off. Thank you!! By the way, if your Color Run is anything like ours, you won’t actually get to run very much. Good luck!!

  • Kate {domestikatedlife}
    October 2, 2012 at 9:50 am

    I love this idea, I’ve seen a few other bloggers write goal lists but love your reasoning behind why it’s important — I think I need to start mine now!

  • Nuit
    October 2, 2012 at 9:53 am

    yayyy! way to go Nicole! You’ve done so many cool things lately since having that list!

    I’ll consider writing one ;) xoxo

  • Cher
    October 2, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    The Color Run is AMAZING. I ran one back in July and it was a massive, colorful, crazy party. My one piece of advice is to bring a handkerchief and tie it loosely around your neck so when you run through the color, you can pull it up to cover your nose and mouth when you get to the color checkpoints. I have asthma and it was incredibly hard to breathe while in the “color cloud” points. Good luch and have fun!!!

  • Susan/Project Balancing Act
    October 2, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Damnit- I’m IN Palatine! I don’t have skates! Argh.

    • Making it Lovely
      October 2, 2012 at 1:36 pm

      It’s a skating rink — you can rent skates!

      • Susan/Project Balancing Act
        October 3, 2012 at 2:03 pm

        Oooooooooh! Might have to contact them to see if they’ll be able to accommodate!

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